Kindergarten Acceleration Guidelines

In Sunnyvale ISD, we believe children thrive academically, socially, and emotionally when placed with peers of a similar age. However, we recognize that some kindergarten-aged students may already demonstrate advanced mastery of kindergarten-level skills as outlined by the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS). In such cases, these students may be considered for acceleration into first grade.

Students who are eligible may take credit-by-exam (CBE) assessments in kindergarten reading/language arts, math, science, and social studies. Students must demonstrate mastery in all four subject areas (scoring 80% or higher on each test) and meet developmental readiness benchmarks to be considered for early promotion.

Acceleration decisions also take into account a student’s ability to meet the academic, emotional, behavioral, and social expectations of first grade. Before initiating this process, please review “Is My Child Ready for First Grade in Sunnyvale ISD?” to determine if your child meets the criteria.

Exam for Acceleration (CBE) Overview

To qualify for kindergarten acceleration, a student must:

• Score at least 80% on each of the following assessments:
  
  

  • Science (administered first)
    
    

  • Social Studies (administered second if Science is passed)
    
    

  • Math (administered third)
    
    

  • Reading/Language Arts (administered last)
    
    

• All tests are criterion-referenced and based on the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS).
  
  

• Test formats vary but include multiple-choice questions, and may also include essays or short answers.
  
  

• Tests are administered in separate sessions and scheduled over multiple days.
  
  

• Each test has a time limit of up to 3 continuous hours.
  
  

• If a student does not earn 80% on any one of the exams, the acceleration process ends.
  
  

• Students must pass all four exams to be considered for advancement.

Note: Assessments are ordered from the University of Texas High School (UTHS) one at a time. New exams are ordered only after mastery is confirmed in the previous subject. Supplies for testing may take up to 10 days to arrive.

Eligibility Requirements

To participate in kindergarten acceleration testing, the following conditions must be met:

• The child must be six years old on or before December 31 of the eligible year to be eligible for kindergarten acceleration.

• The child must be registered for kindergarten at a Sunnyvale ISD campus.
  
  

• The acceleration application must be obtained from and returned to the campus counselor by the published deadline.
  
  

• Parent or guardian written consent is required; consent is assumed once testing begins.
  
  

Note: Sunnyvale ISD does not offer early kindergarten entry for students who do not meet the age requirement.

Additional Considerations

• Social/Emotional Readiness: Students should demonstrate age-appropriate maturity, self-regulation, and social skills.
  
  

• Student Interest: The child should have a personal desire to advance and be willing to engage in more rigorous academic work.
  
  

• Teacher/Counselor/Administrator Input: Educators who work closely with your child can offer valuable insights into their readiness for acceleration. 
  
  

Practice Resources

• All exams are based on the TEKS standards. Visit the Texas Education Agency or use Lead4ward’s TEKS Snapshot to access relevant content.
  
  

• Review guides will be provided based on the testing vendor used.
  
  

• Practice materials do not provide specific test questions but will help you understand test structure and content expectations.
  
  

Important Notes About Testing & Results

• Testing results will be shared by the campus counselor. The district testing office will not release scores directly to parents.
  
  

• There is no appeal process for test results.
  
  

• If your child is approved for acceleration, placement in first grade is considered probationary. Should it become clear the placement is not in the student’s best interest, the student may be returned to kindergarten.
  
  

• If you are unsure about acceleration, it is best not to proceed with testing.
  
  

• Sunnyvale ISD does not accept acceleration testing from other school districts.

Testing Windows & Costs

• Students may request Exam for Acceleration during any of the four testing windows in the academic year.
  
  

• Regardless of when testing is completed, grade-level placement changes occur only at the beginning of the school year.
  
  

• The district covers the cost of one round of exams per subject. If a student is registered but does not complete the test, the family may be responsible for the cost of any retesting.
  
  

Students in grades 1–8 may be considered for grade-level acceleration if they have met district assessment expectations (e.g., MAP Growth, STAAR, if applicable). Before an exam for acceleration is approved, students must meet performance criteria based on these assessments.

To qualify for advancement, a student must earn a minimum score of 80% or higher on a district-approved criterion-referenced exam in each of the following four core subjects:

• Science
  
  

• Social Studies
  
  

• Mathematics
  
  

• Language Arts
  
  

Exams include multiple-choice questions and may also have open-ended responses or reading passages. Review materials are available through approved resources (linked below).

Exam Process & Format

• Exams are ordered one at a time, starting with Science.
  
  

• The next subject exam is ordered only if the student scores 80% or higher on the previous one.
  
  

• Each exam may take up to three continuous hours to complete.
  
  

• Testing is administered in multiple sessions across different days.
  
  

• Online exams are ordered from the University of Texas High School (UTHS).  Print test option available for students in grade 1. 
  
  

• Login credentials may take up to 10 days to arrive after an exam is ordered.
  
  

• If the student does not meet the passing standard on any test, the acceleration process ends.
  
  

• Students must pass all four subjects to be eligible to advance to the next grade.
  
  

Please note: Exams for Acceleration (EA) are not diagnostic tools. They will not provide detailed feedback about missed questions or areas for growth. For academic insights, SISD teachers will continue using classroom-based assessments throughout the year.

Eligibility Requirements

• The student must be currently enrolled in Sunnyvale ISD.
  
  

• The student must meet minimum assessment history benchmarks before the first test is ordered.
  
  

• Acceleration may only be attempted once per testing window for the same grade or subject.
  
  

• Students are limited to two total attempts at grade acceleration; eligibility for a second attempt depends on the first test’s score.
  
  

• Advancement is only approved at the beginning of the academic year, regardless of the testing window.
  
  

• Families must complete and submit the EA application form, available through the student’s school counselor, by 4:15 p.m. on the posted deadline.
  
  

• Students may only request exams for grade levels or subjects where prerequisites have been met, in alignment with Sunnyvale ISD’s course sequence.
  
  

Requirements for Grade Advancement

A student in grades 1–8 may be accelerated one full grade if all of the following conditions are met:

1. The student earns 80% or higher on each of the four exams: Science, Social Studies, Math, and Language Arts (administered in that order).
   
   

2. A designated district staff member recommends the student for acceleration.
   
   

3. The student’s parent or guardian provides written approval (approval is assumed upon submission of the application and beginning of testing).
   
   

Once a student successfully passes an exam for acceleration, they may not retake it for that grade or subject.

Preparation & Study Resources

Sunnyvale ISD uses exams developed by the University of Texas and Texas Tech University, aligned with Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS). Study materials and guidance are available:

• Texas Education Agency – TEKS Standards
  
  

• Lead4ward TEKS Snapshots
  
  

• UT Austin CBE Study Guides
  
  

• Texas Tech University CBE Review Sheets
  
  

Students may use any state-adopted textbook to review grade-level content. The review sheets describe test formats, study strategies, and what materials are allowed, but do not reveal actual exam questions.

A campus counselor will notify families which vendor’s exam will be used and provide access to appropriate study materials.

Score Reporting & Placement

• Test results will be shared with the campus counselor. Families will be contacted directly by the school regarding results and next steps.
  
  

• The SISD testing department will not release test scores directly to families.
  
  

• There is no appeals process for acceleration exam results.
  
  

• If a student qualifies for acceleration, their placement will be provisional. If the school later determines that the student would benefit from remaining in their current grade, the placement may be reversed.
  
  

• Do not submit an EA application if you are uncertain about pursuing acceleration.

Cost & Commitment

• There is no fee to families for the first round of testing.
  
  

• If a student registers for a test but does not attend or complete it, the family will be responsible for the cost of retesting if desired in the future.
  
  

• Please consider your child’s schedule and readiness before committing to the testing process.
  
  

Additional Considerations

• Social Maturity: A student’s emotional and social development should be consistent with peers in the grade they are seeking to enter.
  
  

• Student Motivation: Acceleration should align with the student’s desire and readiness to take on more advanced coursework.
  
  

• Teacher, Counselor, Administrator Input: Educators can offer insight into whether acceleration would be in the best interest of the student.
  
  

 Note: Grade-level placement changes resulting from exam success will take effect only at the beginning of a school year. All required assessments must be passed by deadlines in order to be eligible to advance for first day of new school year.

To access the Grade 1-8 Acceleration application Click Here.  

For more information,  contact the Director of Advanced Academics Courtney Sharkey-  Courtney.sharkey@sunnvyaleisd.com.